Reoccuring Threads

Every time I bring a parcel of pages down to Babu we end up on the same trails.  We start in one place, the topic of whatever entries I bring down to her, then we move on and end up in the same place.  I’ve written before about how, with the smallest occurrence, her life…

Read More

The Fourth Week of 1935

Now that the holidays are over I am back to transcribing and reflecting week by week.  At the end of the month of January, 1935:   She saw “Great Expectations” and mentioned having read the Dickens novel in a magazine.  She really loved to read but I never she how she has the time in…

Read More

I showed Babu her entries from three years of New Year’s Eves and Days and there were no revelations, only sweetness.  She remembered Harlan’s name but not him, and had no big reaction to the kiss with him.  Ha!  However, when she remembers you, you’re one lucky duck.  She told me four times how beautiful…

Read More

New Years Over the Years

For the first time in this process I got my mind really blown, nostalgically.  These “holiday specials” I thought up at random really have a surprising effect.  I have read and transcribed three years of New Year’s Eves and Days.  I don’t know why this didn’t happen over the Christmas and Wigilia entries, but I…

Read More

This is for the “In Law Caretakers”

The real family wants the stuff when she gone and that’s fine.  Those artifacts where a part of their childhood memories, relics of their life.  I sometimes just hope I can keep a pair of socks; the hospital socks with the grips we keep after every time she has a hospital stay.  Maybe I’ll wear…

Read More

The Sarlacc Pit of Time

Technically, you could make it out of a Sarlacc pit alive.  It does happen but it’s very unlikely. (I think the interwebs is crediting this image with Dave Dorman.) The day after Christmas I finally bring down the Wigilia and Christmas entries for Babu to read.  We read and talk about 6 short passages for…

Read More

Everyone Loves a Christmas Special 1935, 36, 37

Wednesday, December 25, 1935 A happy Christmas day.  Only Jaime disappointed me.  He sent me a sweetheart card (I hate that) and a 5lb box of candy.  Zosh and I saw “The Crusades.”  She had supper up the house.  Our story teller “Mike” was there, too.  Then I played and we sang Christmas carols. (Oh…

Read More

All I want for Wigilia…

…is to find Babu’s 1934 diary – and any others!  Call me greedy.  I want to never run out of this work.  Aaaannnddd who doesn’t love a holiday special?  Here are three years of Wigilia entries: Tuesday December 24, 1935 Had X-mas supper with the Olbrychs at our house.  Got no presents but don’t mind…

Read More

The Falcons Part One

She talks more and more in her journal about attending the Falcons group at the bowling alley.  Babu doesn’t remember much about it although I’ll keep asking because on different days you never know.  In my research I found the Polish Falcons of America and I know this is right.  Babu is very proud of…

Read More

Out of character?

Babu read the passage about Mucha’s over and over as if she were trying to decode something.  “I wasn’t that kind of person!”  She said.  I gave a good natured laugh.  “What do you think was going on there?”  I ask her and she doesn’t know.  “Maybe it was an accident,”  I say to soothe…

Read More

Excerpt #3

Tuesday, January 15, 1935 I found out today that Adele Janik is wearing WBZ’s class pin and Jenete told me he pushed all the boys away that he was talking to and walked Janet Overbaugh. Can’t he choose between the two. Father B said “Hello Emily” to me at Falcons today. He likes Jenete.

The Third Week of 1935

WBZ is being a card.  He likes two girls, one is nemesis AJ, and neither one is Babu.  She criticizes him but I think she would still take his class pin if he offered it!  😉  She goes skating for the first time and falls, but has faith she’ll get better but the next day…

Read More